Bichirs, Polypteriformes, are a basal group of vertebrates with many unique characters as ganoid scales, fleshy pectoral fin, spiraculum or paired lung originated from ventral outpocketing from floor of pharynx. Among the most notable is also the dentition, which contatin teeth among whole area of oropharyngeal cavity. This arrangement is not easily call oral and pharyngeal, what is recently used e.g. for medaka, because it is only one dention with teeth on majority of oral as well as pharyngeal elements. This diploma thesis utilizes expression patterns of Dlx genes to visualize morphogenesis of dentition and pharyngeal arches in the Senegal Bichir (Polypterus senegalus). The very first developing teeth of oral dentition, as well as its further patterning were detected and accurately located using gene expression analyses. It was also discovered an interesting histological context connected with unique mouth opening mechanism during early development of teeth in oral cavity. Another discussion point is establishment of dorsoventral polarization in pharyngeal arches development of bichir based on results from Dlx gene expression analysis. Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)

Considerada uma doença de primeiro e segundo arcos faríngeos (FaSPAD), a Síndrome Aurículo-Condilar (ACS) apresenta como principais características micrognatia, malformação auricular típica chamada de question mark ear (QME) e hipoplasia do côndilo mandibular. Variabilidade clínica inter e intrafamiliar, bem como heterogeneidade genética são observadas na ACS. A doença segrega tanto de maneira autossômica dominante quanto recessiva. Variantes patogênicas tem sido identificadas em GNAI3, PLCB4 e EDN1 como responsáveis pela maioria dos casos investigados. Ainda, estudos não publicados do nosso grupo sugerem a ocorrência de um quarto locus causativo de ACS. No presente trabalho tivemos por objetivo identificar as variantes causativas de ACS em casos anteriormente descritos e casos ainda não reportados e nos propusemos a investigar a heterogeneidade clínica da ACS. Identificamos variantes patogênicas nos genes PLCB4 e GNAI3 em 5 de 6 casos de ACS. No caso restante (1⁄6), restringimos o quarto locus candidato a conter variante causativa de ACS. Estudos adicionais estão sendo realizados afim de identificá-la. Sugerimos também que todas as variantes em GNAI3, aqui e anteriormente descritas, interfiram direta ou indiretamente com a ligação GDP⁄GTP, agindo com um mecanismo dominante negativo. Além disso, nossas observações clínicas mostram que alterações auriculares não-específicas não são sugestivas de ACS e que, devido à grande variabilidade clínica da doença, é importante avaliar em detalhe parentes de primeiro grau do probando. Também, alterações extra-craniofaciais foram vistas em pacientes com mutações missense em heterozigose em PLCB4 e sugerimos a atenção dos geneticistas clínicos para tais achados / Considered as a first and second pharyngeal arch disease (FaSPAD), the Auriculocondylar Syndrome (ACS) presents with micrognathia, a typical ear malformation called question mark ear (QME), and mandibular condyle hypoplasia as main features. Intra and inter-familial clinical variability as well as genetic heterogeneity are observed in ACS. The disease segregates in both autosomal dominant and recessive manner. Pathogenic variants have been identified in GNAI3, PLCB4, and EDN1 in the majority of the investigated cases. Furthermore, non-published studies of our group indicate a fourth locus associated with ACS. In the present study, our aim was to identify the causative variants of ACS in previously and not reported cases and also to investigate the clinical heterogeneity of ACS. We identified pathogenic variants in PLCB4 and GNAI3 in 5 out of 6 ACS cases. In the remaining case (1⁄6), we narrow down the fourth candidate region to contain causative variant of ACS. Additional studies are being conducted to identify it. We also hypothesized that all GNAI3 variants, herein and previously described, interfere with the GDP⁄GTP binding, acting through a dominant negative mechanism. Furthermore, our clinical observations lead us to conclude that non-specific ear malformations are not suggestive of ACS and that, due to the great clinical variability, it is important to evaluate in detail the first-degree relatives of the proband. Moreover, extra-craniofacial alterations were found in a patient with PLCB4 heterozygous pathogenic variant, and we advise clinical geneticists to be aware about such findings

xv, 76 p. : ill. (some col.) Includes 4 video files. / Improved understanding of pharyngeal arch (PA) patterning and morphogenesis can reveal critical insights into the origins of craniofacial diseases, such as Fraser syndrome. PAs contain mesenchymal condensations, which give rise to most of the facial skeleton in vertebrates. Studies of Endothelin1 signaling reveal that the skeleton derived from the first two PAs are patterned into dorsal, intermediate, and ventral domains. Previous work has indicated that endothelin targets, including the Dlx genes, homeotically pattern dorsal versus ventral PA identity. I show that the Dlx gene family plays a vital role in PA intermediate-domain identity establishment. In WT fish, the PA intermediate domain is delineated by combined expression of all Dlx genes. Reduction of Dlx gene function results in loss of intermediate-domain identity. Conversely, ventral expansion of Dlx expression, seen in hand2 mutants, results in ventral expansion of intermediate-domain identity. Hence, PA intermediate-domain identity is defined by co-expression of Dlx genes. Epithelial-mesenchymal interactions play an important part in PA intermediate-domain morphogenesis. Zebrafish fras1 (epithelially expressed) and itga8 (mesenchymally expressed) mutants also show specific defects within intermediate-domain skeleton and epithelia. Facial phenotypes in fras1;itga8 double mutants look extremely similar to either single mutant, suggesting that fras1 and itga8 might participate in the same epithelial-mesenchymal interaction during PA intermediate-domain formation. Our developmental studies reveal that fras1 - and itga8 -dependent epithelial segmentation of the PA intermediate domain stabilizes developing skeletal elements. Lesions in human FRAS1 underlie many cases of Fraser syndrome, and this work provides an excellent developmental model for the craniofacial defects found in Fraser syndrome. Loss of either Dlx or fras1 function produces defects in the PA intermediate domain, yet seemingly during different developmental periods. Nonetheless, combined reduction of both Dlx and fras1 function synergistically increases skeletal defects, implying a molecular connection between early (Dlx -mediated) pattern formation and later (fras1 -mediated) pattern stabilization. Elucidation of the Dlx-fras1 interaction is an interesting topic which may unveil new molecules pertinent to Fraser syndrome. Supplemental movies highlighting skeletal and epithelial morphogenesis accompany this dissertation. / Committee in charge: Judith S. Eisen, Chairperson; Charles B. Kimmel, Advisor; John H. Postlethwait, Member; Chris Q. Doe, Member; Kennith E. Prehoda, Outside Member

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Down syndrome (DS) is caused by trisomy of human chromosome 21 (Hsa21) and occurs in ~1 of every 700 live births. Individuals with DS present craniofacial abnormalities, specifically an undersized, dysmorphic mandible which may lead to difficulty with eating, breathing, and speech. Using the Ts65Dn DS mouse model, which mirrors these phenotypes and contains three copies of ~50% Hsa21 homologues, our lab has traced the mandibular deficit to a neural crest cell (NCC) deficiency in the first pharyngeal arch (PA1 or mandibular precursor) at embryonic day 9.5 (E9.5). At E9.5, the PA1 is reduced in size and contains fewer cells due to fewer NCC populating the PA1 from the neural tube (NT) as well as reduced cellular proliferation in the PA1. We hypothesize that both the deficits in NCC migration and proliferation may cause the reduction in size of the PA1. To identify potential genetic mechanisms responsible for trisomic PA1 deficits, we generated RNA-sequence (RNA-seq) data from euploid and trisomic E9.25 NT and E9.5 PA1 (time points occurring before and after observed deficits) using a next-generation sequencing platform. Analysis of RNA-seq data revealed differential trisomic expression of 53 genes from E9.25 NT and 364 genes from E9.5 PA1, five of which are present in three copies in Ts65Dn. We also further analyzed the data to find that fewer alternative splicing events occur in trisomic tissues compared to euploid tissues and in PA1 tissue compared to NT tissue. In a subsequent study, to test gene-specific treatments to rescue PA1 deficits, we targeted Dyrk1A, an overexpressed DS candidate gene implicated in many DS phenotypes and predicted to cause the NCC and PA1 deficiencies. We hypothesize that treatment of pregnant Ts65Dn mothers with Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a known Dyrk1A inhibitor, will correct NCC deficits and rescue the undersized PA1 in trisomic E9.5 embryos. To test our hypothesis, we treated pregnant Ts65Dn mothers with EGCG from either gestational day 7 (G7) to G8 or G0 to G9.5. Our study found an increase in PA1 volume and NCC number in trisomic E9.5 embryos after treatment on G7 and G8, but observed no significant improvements in NCC deficits following G0-G9.5 treatment. We also observed a developmental delay of embryos from trisomic mothers treated with EGCG from G0-G9.5. Together, these data show that timing and sufficient dosage of EGCG treatment is most effective during the developmental window the few days before NCC deficits arise, during G7 and G8, and may be ineffective or harmful when administered at earlier developmental time points. Together, the findings of both studies offer a better understanding of potential mechanisms altered by trisomy as well as preclinical evidence for EGCG as a potential prenatal therapy for craniofacial disorders linked to DS.